Oil Patch

There has been “fall for Hall,” “arson for Larsson,” “hoping for Hoppy” and there has even been talk of “fail for Nail” around Edmonton, but it is unlikely that the Oilers will have their third consecutive first overall pick. So, how about “fall apart for Reinhart?”

Griffin Reinhart has been quickly climbing through the draft rankings, garnering interest and raising his profile.In order for the Oilers to draft this defenceman it will depend on where the Oilers finish the season and perhaps even how deep the Edmonton Oil Kings make it into the WHL playoffs.

The basics facts on Reinhart are that he is a big, fierce, competitive and consistent defenceman who has excellent hockey pedigree being the son of former NHL defenceman Paul Reinhart. Standing at 6’3” and 190 pounds, Reinhart towers over his older and more serious brother Max (if only by 3 inches), and at 18 still has time to grow a little more.

Reinhart says that fatigue is not setting in just yet, but explains that all thoughts are on the post season. “I think that we’re all just trying to stay composed for our last games, and are all staying composed for the playoffs. Everyone’s excited and we have to just stay focussed and get it done in the playoffs.”

Although Reinhart is continually being asked about the draft, his focus is on his team’s playoffs just like all of the other players in his position. When pressed however, Reinhart will admit that he has given the draft thought and that “I just have to keep playing my game and see what happens. Whoever I go to, I will be happy with.”

Fall apart for Reinhart was not something that the young defenceman had heard before, but it did make him laugh. “It’s obviously pretty cool that I’ve been able to play in Edmonton and that the fans are getting behind me. I definitely haven’t heard that before, but that’s definitely pretty cool.”

With 19 games remaining, the Oilers are certainly not guaranteed their 2nd overall pick because there is a good chance that they can be overtaken by at least one team in the East. The Oilers are healthy, scoring and have a league leading power play and should be able to win at least a few more of their games down the stretch. Most notably, games against the Habs have historically been guaranteed wins. And so, it’s difficult to speculate as to who the Oilers will draft and where, but there are definitely some exciting prospects available.

About Oil Patch

Lisa McRitchie is a fairly new writer, online at least, but makes up for inexperience with passion for the game of hockey and memories of Mrs. Leskiw’s English AP class; who knew they would pay off one day.

Oil Patch focuses on the Edmonton Oilers, the Edmonton Oil Kings, The Oklahoma City Barons and Team Canada Hockey with game coverage, news updates, speculation and interviews.

Although the Oilers have had a difficult past decade… or three, here at Oil Patch, the future looks bright.